Concrete forming system and method

Abstract

A system and method for forming concrete structures, using foam panels as forms, supported by vertical tracks with horizontal bridge pieces inserted through the forms. The bridge pieces are in the form of triangular webs with coaxial rings for supporting vertical rebars centrally between opposing forms. The coaxial rings on opposing bridge pieces key together to securely hold the vertical rebars. At the corners of the structure, corner retaining extrusions are used having fins for retaning the foam panels, and having various included angles such as 60°, 75°, 90°, 120°, 135°, 150° or 165°. Specific types of corner tie pieces for square, obtuse or acute corners are used to connect together the corner retaining extrusions at the inner and outer corners of the structure.

1. A bridge piece for a concrete forming system, said bridge piece comprising:
 an outer end configured to mate with a substantially vertical form; and an inner end connected to said outer end, said inner end provided with a plurality of coaxial rings, said rings configured to receive a substantially vertical rebar; said rings configured to intermate with a like bridge piece; and a substantially triangular web intermediate said outer end and said inner end.  
 
   
   
     2. The bridge piece according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 said bridge piece is made of a plastic material configured to accept fastening elements, so as to attach finish items to exterior and interior surfaces of a structure.  
 
   
   
     3. The bridge piece according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a web intermediate said outer end and said inner end and comprising a substantially triangular opening therein. 
   
   
     4. A system for forming a substantially vertical planar structure, said system comprising:
 at least two opposing substantially vertical forms provided with apertures therein, said forms forming a space therebetween for receiving pourable structural material;  
 at least one bridge piece configured to be inserted through at least one of said apertures in each of said forms, said at least one bridge piece comprising an inner end configured to retain a substantially vertical rebar; and  
 said inner end of said each of said bridge pieces comprising a plurality of coaxial rings configured to intermate with a like bridge piece.  
 
   
   
     5. The system according to  claim 4 , wherein:
 said forms are made of a foamed material.  
 
   
   
     6. The system according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 substantially vertical tracks configured to support said bridge pieces and said forms.  
 
   
   
     7. The system according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 said tracks are configured to accept fasteners to attach finish items to the structure.  
 
   
   
     8. The system according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 said vertical tracks further comprise markings corresponding to units of linear measurement.  
 
   
   
     9. The system according to  claim 4 , further comprising:
 corner retaining extrusions configured to retain said forms, and configured to accommodate a predetermined included angle between said forms.  
 
   
   
     10. The system according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 said predetermined included angle is selected from the group consisting of 60°, 75°, 90°, 120°, 135°, 150° and 165°.  
 
   
   
     11. The system according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 said corner retaining extrusions are configured to accept fasteners to attach finish items.  
 
   
   
     12. The system according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 at least one corner tie piece, comprising a substantially rigid strap configured to mate with an outside corner of a first said corner retaining extrusion and with an inside corner of a second said corner retaining extrusion.  
 
   
   
     13. The system according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 said at least one corner tie piece comprises:  
 an interior end having interior mating flanges configured to mate with an outside corner of a first said corner retaining extrusion;  
 an exterior end having a box configured to mate with an inside corner of a second said corner retaining extrusion; and  
 means configured to mate with said bridge pieces and with said substantially vertical rebar.  
 
   
   
     14. A system for forming a substantially vertical planar structure, said system comprising:
 at least two opposing substantially vertical forms provided with apertures therein, said forms forming a space therebetween for receiving pourable structural material;  
 at least one bridge piece configured to be inserted through at least one of said apertures in each of said forms, said at least one bridge piece comprising an inner end configured to retain a substantially vertical rebar;  
 corner retaining extrusions configured to retain said forms, and configured to accommodate a predetermined included angle between said forms; and  
 at least one corner tie piece, comprising a substantially rigid strap configured to mate with an outside corner of a first said corner retaining extrusion and with an inside corner of a second said corner retaining extrusion.  
 
   
   
     15. The system according to  claim 14 , wherein:
 said at least one corner tie piece comprises:  
 an interior end having interior mating flanges configured to mate with an outside corner of a first said corner retaining extrusion;  
 an exterior end having a box configured to mate with an inside corner of a second said corner retaining extrusion; and  
 means configured to mate with said bridge pieces and with said substantially vertical rebar.  
 
   
   
     16. A method for forming structures from pourable structural material, said method comprising the steps of:
 erecting at least two opposing substantially vertical forms provided with apertures therein, said forms forming a space therebetween;  
 inserting at least one bridge piece through at least one of said apertures in each of said forms;  
 introducing a substantially vertical rebar through an inner end of said at least one bridge piece; and  
 pouring said structural material into said space; wherein  
 said inner end of said each of said bridge pieces comprises a plurality of coaxial rings configured to intermate with a like bridge piece.  
 
   
   
     17. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 said forms are made of a foamed material.  
 
   
   
     18. The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of:
 providing substantially vertical tracks configured to support said bridge pieces and said forms.  
 
   
   
     19. The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising the step of:
 fastening finish items to said tracks.  
 
   
   
     20. The method according to  claim 18 , wherein:
 said vertical tracks further comprise markings corresponding to units of linear measurement.